MATTHEW OF WESTMINSTER
The flowers of history, especially such as relate to the affairs of Britain. Vol. II. A.D. 1066 to A.D. I307.
page 67

AU the observers of the King's ordinances are excommunicated by the blessed Thomas.
A.D . 1166. Eleanor, queen of England, brought forth a son named John, at the end of the year. Also, king Henry crossed the sea into Normandy. Thomas, archbishop of Canterbury, excommunicated all the observers of the king's customs and prerogatives, which had been recited at Clarendon, which he called execrable abuses, rather than customs or liberties. And he excommunicated by name some of those who took the king's part in this matter, both clergy and laity. The same year, a short time after, the king procured the removal of archbishop Thomas from Pontigny. For he knew that the place and the abode there pleased him, especially as there was a Cistercian chapter there. And, not long afterwards, he mercilessly banished his whole family from England, not merely from London, but from the whole kingdom.
About the same time, for the assistance of the Holy Land, fourpence were granted and collected from every plough-land of land throughout the whole of England. Robert, abbot of Saint Alban's, died, after he had governed his church there twenty-four years. The bishops of England became favourers of the king's party, and persecutors of the blessed Thomas in his cause. Louis, king of France, was the only comforter of the blessed Thomas : on which account, the two kings spoke of one another with secret hatred.
Pope Alexander, and Louis, king of France, became comforters of the blessed Thomas.
A.D . 1167. Pope Alexander, being aware of the justice of the cause of the blessed Thomas, became his comforter and assistant, and the partner of his exile. For both of them were driven from their country at the same time, for the sake of the liberty of the Church. The same year, Robert of Lincoln died.
This year, the kings of France and England quarrelled : and, in consequence, Chaumont, Gisors, and other castles and fortifications, with many towns and cities, were seized and
* burnt by the Normans. Also, the empress Matilda died. Matilda, the daughter of king Henry, married Henry, duke of Saxony.
At this time, now that the blessed archbishop Thomas was driven into banishment, his manors, and woods, and preserves,

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